Water is an increasingly valuable and limited resource, often perceived as being wasted on turfgrass. This much-anticipated second edition brings clear, current, science-based information on turfgrass management and water conservation to turf managers and researchers alike. Inside you’ll find a look at the current understanding of water use as well as new technologies being researched to reduce water use by turfgrass. Attention is paid to water quality and turfgrass as a key part of the urban environment, how integrating turfgrass with other landscape uses of water can be part of a conservation plan, and how various water qualities, including reclaimed water, can be part of a management plan. Chapters also cover •advances in drought, heat, and salinity stress tolerance •the role of water in modified root zone media and native soils •water management technologies •considerations for construction and management of urban green spaces including parks and golf courses •water depletion, pesticide and nutrient runoff A chapter summarizing the practical application of the science in each chapter rounds out the text, presenting the information in an immediately useable format. Includes 10 tables and figures, 20 color photos, a U.S. customary to metric conversion table, and an 8-page glossary.

A classic and best-selling text for sod and turfgrass courses covering lawnkeeping and athletic groundskeeping.

Ready to replace your lawn with a more sustainable landscape? This book features water-conserving plants from around the world and offers design ideas and practical solutions to help you create a vibrant garden that complements our Mediterranean climate. From greenswards and meadows to succulent and kitchen gardens, this book presents alternatives to the traditional lawn that can reduce water use, beautify the landscape, and attract birds and butterflies. --Adapted from back cover.

A colorful guide covering the basics of replacing a traditional lawn with a wide variety of easy-care, no-mow, drought-tolerant, money-saving options that will appeal to today's busy, eco-conscious homeowner. Americans pour 300 million gallons of gas and 1 billion hours every year into mowing their lawns, not to mention 70 million pounds of pesticides and $40 billion for lawn upkeep. No Wonder the anti-lawn movement is thriving, as today's eco-conscious consumers realize that their traditional lawns are water-hogging, chemical-ridden, maintenance-intensive burdens. Lawn Gone!, from award-winning gardening blogger Pam Penick, is the first basic introduction to low-water, easy-care lawn alternatives for beginning gardeners, written in a friendly style with an approachable package. It covers all the available time-saving options: alternative grasses, ground cover plants, artificial turf, hardscaping, mulch, and more. In addition, it includes step-by-step lawn-removal methods, strategies for dealing with neighbors and homeowner associations, and how to minimize your lawn if you're not ready to go all the way.

With the increased use of alternative irrigation water sources on turfgrass and landscape sites, their management is becoming more complex and whole ecosystems-oriented. Yet few turfgrass managers have received formal training in the intricacies of irrigation water. Turfgrass and Landscape Irrigation Water Quality: Assessment and Management provide

Sustainability is a key framework for analyzing biological systems—and turfgrass is no exception. It is part of a complex that encompasses turfgrass interactions with different environments and the suitability of different turfgrasses for specific environments. In addition to its biological role, turfgrass—in the form of lawns, green spaces, and playing surfaces—brings beneficial sociological effects to an increasingly urbanized society. This book presents a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and issues in the field of turfgrass research and management, including the genetics and breeding, the diseases and pests, and the ecology of turfgrasses, and will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.

The complex issues involved in the management of saline and sodic turfgrass soils are enough to perplex even the most experienced site manager — there is no "silver bullet" amendment, treatment, or grass for salinity management. Best Management Practices for Saline and Sodic Turfgrass Soils: Assessment and Reclamation presents comprehensive scientific principles and detailed, practical management and assessment recommendations for turfgrass and landscape sites. The authors use the Best Management Practices (BMPs) concept, considered the gold-standard management approach for any individual environmental issue, since it is a whole ecosystem (holistic), science-based salinity management approach that allows all possible management options to be considered and implemented on a site-specific basis. They identify BMP strategies, including irrigation system design; irrigation scheduling and salinity leaching; chemical, physical, and biological amendments; cultivation; topdressing; soil modification; sand-capping; surface and subsurface drainage options; nutritional practices; additional cultural practices; and ongoing monitoring. The book presents emerging challenges, technology, and concepts that address integration of salinity management into comprehensive site environmental or sustainable management systems, use of halophytic turfgrasses for non-traditional purposes, integration of geospatial and geostatistical concepts and technology, and integration of new sensor technology into daily management paradigms. Outlining a holistic BMP approach, the book incorporates scientific principles and practical management recommendations and details specific salinity challenges and the logic behind each BMP strategy for salinity management, with an emphasis on actual field problems. The book is formatted for flexible use, with stand-alone chapters that include outlines for quick review of a topic for those requiring only a basic understanding as well as in-depth discussions of the science and practical aspects for those seeking a more rigorous treatment. It supplies a single source for all the information required to identify and manage diverse types of salinity stresses.